Brief History

The SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) is one of three SEAMEO regional centers hosted by the Government of the Philippines (GOP).

SEAMEO INNOTECH was established in January 1970 following the SEAMEO Council’s approval of its five-year plan and interim plan of operations. Its headquarters was first set up at the SEAMEO Secretariat headquarters in Thailand. It was then moved to Singapore and later on to Vietnam until it was moved back to Thailand in 1975.

On July 1, 1976 a memorandum of agreement was signed between the GOP and SEAMEO for the temporary hosting of SEAMEO INNOTECH in the Philippines. On July 1, 1981, the GOP accepted the formal request of the SEAMEO Council for the Philippines to permanently host SEAMEO INNOTECH. The Center is now located within the campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Vision and Mission

SEAMEO INNOTECH is principally dedicated to identifying common and unique education problems and needs of Southeast Asian countries and developing innovative and technology-based solutions to address these problems. The Center aids in educational development within and outside the region through training and human resource development, research and evaluation, information and communications technology and other special programs addressing specific areas of concern in the Southeast Asian educational scenario.

Vision

A better future for every learner in Southeast Asia.

Mission

SEAMEO INNOTECH provides innovative and technology-oriented learning services and research-based solutions to enable the education community in Southeast Asia to effectively respond to current and emerging needs and concerns.

Our Core Values

These values keep the staff focused on what the Center stands for.

Commitment to Excellence

Creativity, Flexibility and Innovation

Integrity and Professionalism

Collaboration and Teamwork

Social Responsibility

Thematic Focus Areas

Educational leadership, governance, policy and accountability in the context of educational reforms

Inclusive quality education

Education for sustainable development

Technology-enabled educational innovations

Education solutions supportive of regional integration

Mission Areas / Programmatic Response

Capacity Building and Learning Services

Educational Research and Innovation

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Arising from the thematic areas that would greatly impact the Center’s programs and operations in the coming years, are three overarching strategic goals, with four strategic objectives under each goal.These strategic goals and objectives define and determine the Center’s long-range directions under its 9th FYDP. These include:

REGIONAL RELEVANCE and LEADERSHIPCenter programs, products and services address and are responsive to the educational needs of its clients and learning communities in Southeast Asia.

REGIONAL REACH, CLIENT FOCUS and VISIBILITYThe Center’s presence and reach in the Region are expanded or deepened through strategic partnerships and provision of quality solutions, products and services in accordance with international standards.

ADAPTIVE AND RESPONSIVE RESOURCE BASEAdequate resources and a conducive enabling environment are provided to support learning and innovative solutions development, as well as to ensure sustainable Center operations and functions.

Finance and Administration

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines is committed to provide the capital and operating funds of SEAMEO INNOTECH. Special funds called the SEAMEO Educational Development Fund (SEDF) are utilized to support scholarships for the center's training programs, government board meetings, seminars and conferences and other related activities. Such funds are generated and provided by the SEAMEO Secretariat from contributions of member and associate member countries and various donors.

Donors and program partners provide other funds for research and development, for special training courses and for other extension activities. Unallocated funds refer to special training courses received from donors, interest earnings, and earnings from approved income-generating activities. SEAMEO INNOTECH ensures its financial viability through fiscal restraint, judicious use of resources, wise spending, and appropriate income generating ventures.

Governing Board

The governing board of SEAMEO INNOTECH consists of representatives of the ten member states of the Organization. The governing board sets the policies and directions of the regional center. The members are senior officials in their respective ministries/departments of education or are distinguished educators of national and international prominence who are appointed by the SEAMEO Council president upon nomination by their respective ministers/secretaries of education. The SEAMEO INNOTECH Director and the SEAMEO Secretariat Director serve as ex-officio members of the governing board.

Please refer to the SEAMEO Directory for the updated contact information of INNOTECH's Governing Board Members.